Domaine Mada

Edouard amongst the garrigue. Photo from Chassez le Naturel.

Domaine Mada has been producing wines since 2016 and is headed by Edouard Adam. Born in Tunisia, Adam originally studied commerce in Montpelier but decided to take a break when he found himself unhappy with his studies.  His girlfriend’s parents owned a bed and breakfast and some grape vines in the Languedoc, so he left Montpelier to help out with the upcoming harvest. Through his father-in-law, Adam soon found a passion for winemaking and decided to pursue the field of oenology. Upon finishing his studies, Adam’s father-in-law gifted Adam the small vineyard, along with the adjacent olive trees. Now 28 years old, the young winemaker cares greatly for his vineyards’ ecosystem, paying special attention to the natural flora and fauna, allowing them to thrive and grow freely throughout the vines. With such a holistic approach, there are no chemicals used in the gardening, and grapes remain with their stems through the vinification to give a full picture of his work. He says: “je me fais chier à faire pousser des raisin sur des grappes, c’est pas pour égrapper,” which politely translates to: “I don’t grow grapes on the vines just to have them be destemmed.” 

Evidently, he tends to have a hands off approach when making his wines, allowing skins and stems to mingle with the juices for long periods of time. Adam adds no sulfur, aiming for his wines to be light and refreshing while secretly packing a punch with their distinctively southern heft. Oddly enough, Adam does not always enjoy drinking his own wines. He claims he is too critical and overanalyzes his own work; if there is anything that jumps out at him as off on the nose or mouth, he is consumed with doubts and regret. “Je les ai trop goûtes, ça finit par m’écoeurer” (I have tasted them too much, which ends up making me sick). While this perfectionist might be his own worst critic, I have found his wines to be lighthearted, lively, and endlessly delightful.

The name Mada is a palindrome of his last name, Adam, and he is still laughing at how clever he thinks he is. Adam dreams of owning more land to produce more wine, but, in the meantime, has settled for schmoozin’ with the local organic grape farmers — although, he will insist on destemming the purchased fruit ;)

Jean-Paul

If you’d like to order any bottles, give us a call at (773.360.8365) or email us with your request. Here’s what is available:

Substance 2019 ($29)- Direct press Syrah rosé. (out)

Culeé de lave 2018 ($31) - Grenache Noir and Clairette Blanche. (out)

Furie 2019 ($38) - Old vines selection of Carigian and Grenache Noir. (out)